Is Heat roster still lacking?

ASK IRA:

March 22, 2014|By Ira Winderman, SunSentinel.com

A: Or you know what? Perhaps he deserves a day off, since the Heat then don't play again until next Thursday. Sort of give him his week off he didn't get for All-Star break. But, yes, he's already posted on Instagram photo of what he might look like in one particular mask.

February 20, 2014

Q: Shouldn't we be thankful for Kevin Durant's greatness? Winning two championships in a row and going for a third consecutive title, there was a little or no motivation for LeBron James to push himself during the regular season. As pundits suggested, he was coasting in regular season, as expected. Don't get me wrong, he has put up MVP numbers. Then Russell Westbrook went down and Durant took over the show from LeBron. Seeing his place as the best player in the league threatened, LeBron is responding in a big way. We see more energy, passion, and commitment. Durant vs. LeBron is becoming a thing that makes you want to check what each player does every game. It's fun to argue who had a better night. I am not suggesting this is a rivalry already but if we at least get a glimpse of Magic vs. Larry from these two super talents, NBA basketball will be in good hands for the foreseeable future. -- Baron.

A: Wow, the "anti-cogent" spam filters apparently no longer are working in the "Ask Ira" email box. Your points are well made, and I do see some of that playing out. While there is respect between the two, there also is legitimate competition. It's what some have attempted to create between LeBron and Carmelo Anthony, with Anthony's lack of overall success somewhat limiting that equation. To a degree, we're seeing some of LeBron vs. Carmelo in the LeBron-vs.-Paul George matchups, as well. As long as the individual rivalries don't overshadow the ultimate title aspirations, they're terrific for the game.

Q: Thursday will define whose MVP it is. -- Omar.

A: No, it won't. But if the Heat push past the Thunder for the NBA's best overall record, then the entire debate deserves a second look when it comes to LeBron vs. Durant.

Q: If Reggie Evans is cut by the Kings, do you think the Heat should go after him? According to his game logs, he seems productive rebounding-wise only if he plays 20-plus minutes. Scott, Los Angeles.

A: What I think happens is the Heat wait for all the trades, and buyouts, to be completed, then assess what players are the best fits. Those types of decisions will come closer to March 1 than now.

February 19, 2014

Q: I hope Chris Andersen remains in the closing lineup. He sparked that run and basically the game was over. -- Stuart.

A: For Birdman it was right player at the right time, the matchups in Dallas allowing Erik Spoelstra to keep Andersen's energy in the game, especially with the Heat being beaten up so badly on the boards. All of that said, I'm not sure that counting on Bird bailout 3-pointers is the answer. For the Heat, and for Spoelstra, it's about finding combinations that will work for different situations. What was refreshing was that the Heat actually played a game utilizing Greg Oden but it was Andersen who got the deserved attention afterward. He has been playing very well for weeks now, something that largely had gone unnoticed because of the emergence of Oden. More importantly, Birdman's buzz cut with his Mohawk didn't turn into buzz kill.

Q: Dwyane Wade looked a little off against Mavericks, and Ray Allen was awful. I'm still not sure why he was in there at the end. Doesn't that tell Pat Riley that he has to do something? -- David.

A: One game is not going to alter Riley's approach at Thursday's NBA trading deadline. But when you get down to it, it was rather remarkable that the Heat were able to shoot .571 from the field on a night Allen was 0 for 5, Shane Battier was 1 of 4 and even Wade shot just 4 of 7 after missing the previous two games with a migraine and then his foot issue. Wade will come around; he has to. But another wing sure looks like a good idea right about now.

Q: LeBron James is fired up. In his postgame interview, he was firing off what players (like it was yesterday) on OKC were hot against Miami and how OKC beat the Heat in Miami. Do you think he is motivated to play OKC? -- Martin.

A: You bet. Not only were the Heat humbled in that loss at AmericanAirlines Arena, but that only added to the volume of Kevin Durant somehow having already clinched MVP and of LeBron somewhat being yesterday's news. LeBron is as hot as he's been, at least from a scoring perspective, at just about any point during his Heat tenure. Figure on that singular focus continuing for at least one more game. Thursday should be fun.